Minneapolis-St. Paul (KMSP) Temperature Market Guide
KMSP • Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport
IBKR Robinhood
Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (KMSP) offers a ForecastEx temperature market with some of the most extreme temperature variability in the United States. Located in the Upper Midwest with no topographic barriers to arctic air, Minneapolis can experience brutally cold winters and surprisingly hot summers.
Quick Facts
| Station Code | KMSP |
|---|---|
| Location | Minneapolis, MN |
| Coordinates | 44.8848°N, 93.2223°W |
| Elevation | 841 ft (256 m) |
| Timezone | CT (America/Chicago) |
| NWS Office | Twin Cities (MPX) |
| Resolution Source | NWS CLI Report ↗ |
About the KMSP Weather Station
The KMSP ASOS is located at Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport, positioned between the Twin Cities approximately 10 miles south of downtown Minneapolis. At 841 feet elevation on the glacial plain of southern Minnesota, the station sits in open terrain with no significant topographic barriers.
Minneapolis Climate & Temperature Patterns
Minneapolis experiences a humid continental climate (Koppen: Dfb) with extreme temperature variation. The metro area has one of the largest annual temperature ranges of any major U.S. city.
Key Climate Factors:
Arctic Exposure: With no mountain barriers to the north, Minneapolis receives the full force of arctic air masses. Winter temperatures can plunge to -20°F or colder.
Summer Heat: Despite frigid winters, summer brings warm, humid conditions with temperatures often reaching the 90s°F.
Rapid Changes: Weather systems move quickly. Temperature changes of 20-30°F in a single day are not unusual.
Key Climate Factors:
Arctic Exposure: With no mountain barriers to the north, Minneapolis receives the full force of arctic air masses. Winter temperatures can plunge to -20°F or colder.
Summer Heat: Despite frigid winters, summer brings warm, humid conditions with temperatures often reaching the 90s°F.
Rapid Changes: Weather systems move quickly. Temperature changes of 20-30°F in a single day are not unusual.
📊 View Real-Time Minneapolis Data
Access live temperature readings, forecasts from 15+ models, and historical analysis tools.
Open Live DashboardSeasonal Trading Considerations
Winter (December - February):
Brutally cold with average highs in the teens to low 20s°F. Arctic outbreaks can bring highs below zero and lows of -20°F to -30°F.
Spring (March - May):
Highly variable with dramatic swings. Major snowstorms are possible through April, but temperatures can reach the 80s-90s°F between storm systems.
Summer (June - August):
Warm and humid with average highs in the low-to-mid 80s°F. Heat waves can push temperatures into the mid-90s°F.
Fall (September - November):
Gradual cooling with occasional warm spells. First freeze typically occurs in October.
Brutally cold with average highs in the teens to low 20s°F. Arctic outbreaks can bring highs below zero and lows of -20°F to -30°F.
Spring (March - May):
Highly variable with dramatic swings. Major snowstorms are possible through April, but temperatures can reach the 80s-90s°F between storm systems.
Summer (June - August):
Warm and humid with average highs in the low-to-mid 80s°F. Heat waves can push temperatures into the mid-90s°F.
Fall (September - November):
Gradual cooling with occasional warm spells. First freeze typically occurs in October.
Minneapolis-Specific Trading Tips
Track Arctic Air: Monitor Canadian weather patterns for approaching arctic outbreaks. When arctic high pressure builds over Canada, extreme cold is likely coming.
Watch the 850mb: Upper-level temperature patterns are key predictors for Minneapolis extremes.
Summer Thunderstorms: Severe thunderstorm potential exists throughout summer. Storms can bring dramatic temperature drops.
Spring Volatility: April and May offer excellent trading opportunities as temperatures swing wildly.
Watch the 850mb: Upper-level temperature patterns are key predictors for Minneapolis extremes.
Summer Thunderstorms: Severe thunderstorm potential exists throughout summer. Storms can bring dramatic temperature drops.
Spring Volatility: April and May offer excellent trading opportunities as temperatures swing wildly.
Market Resolution Details
Minneapolis temperature markets resolve based on the official high temperature in the NWS CLI for station KMSP, issued by the Twin Cities forecast office (MPX).
Resolution Source: NWS CLI (Climatological Report)
Reporting Period: 12:00 AM to 11:59 PM Central Standard Time.
Resolution Source: NWS CLI (Climatological Report)
Reporting Period: 12:00 AM to 11:59 PM Central Standard Time.
Data Release Schedule
Typical release times for key data products at KMSP. Times shown in UTC.
| Data Type | Typical Time (UTC) | Variability |
|---|---|---|
| CLI Report Daily climatological summary |
07:24 UTC | ±41 min |
| 24hr High METAR with max temp |
05:53 UTC | ±1 min |
| METAR Hourly observations |
Hourly at :53 | ±1 min |
| DSM #1 Daily summary message |
21:17 UTC | Issuance time |
| DSM #2 Daily summary message |
22:17 UTC | Issuance time |
| DSM #3 Daily summary message |
00:17 UTC | Issuance time |
| DSM #4 Daily summary message |
00:16 UTC | Issuance time |
6-Hour High/Low Reports
These METARs include 6-hour maximum and minimum temperatures, useful for tracking intraday temperature trends.
05:53 UTC
11:53 UTC
17:53 UTC
23:53 UTC
Note: Times are approximate and may vary. CLI reports are the official resolution source for temperature markets. See NWS Data Guide for more information.
Data Resources
Quick links to official data sources and tools for Minneapolis.
📊 NWS Data
🗄️ Iowa Environmental Mesonet
📈 Wethr.net Tools
Forecasting Challenges
Arctic Outbreak Intensity: Predicting exactly how cold arctic air will be when it arrives is challenging.
Rapid Transitions: Temperature changes happen quickly, making precise timing difficult.
Severe Weather: Summer severe thunderstorms are difficult to predict precisely but significantly affect temperatures.
Rapid Transitions: Temperature changes happen quickly, making precise timing difficult.
Severe Weather: Summer severe thunderstorms are difficult to predict precisely but significantly affect temperatures.
Historical Temperature Records
Record High: 108°F recorded in July 1936.
Record Low: -41°F recorded in January 1888.
Annual Range: This 149°F range between record high and low is among the largest of any major U.S. city.
Sub-zero Days: Minneapolis averages about 25 days per year with high temperatures at or below zero.
Record Low: -41°F recorded in January 1888.
Annual Range: This 149°F range between record high and low is among the largest of any major U.S. city.
Sub-zero Days: Minneapolis averages about 25 days per year with high temperatures at or below zero.
📡 Official Data Sources
Ready to Trade Minneapolis?
Get the tools and data you need to make informed decisions.
View Live Dashboard Create Free Account